The Mirror

Ange Postecoglou says he will “explode” at his Tottenham players once they arrive back at the club following international duty.

Spurs face West Ham in Saturday’s early kick-off needing a result following a staggering collapse against Brighton before the break. Postecoglou’s side had a 2-0 lead at the Amex Stadium on October 6, only to lose 3-2 in a dramatic turnaround.

The Australian manager launched into a passionate post-match rant in which he slammed his complacent players for throwing away three points. He branded it the 'worst defeat' of his reign at Tottenham, insisting the second-half performance was 'unacceptable'.

However, Postecoglou isn’t done with venting yet, having been left to his own devices to stew on things while many of his players have been away with their national teams. "You never know if it (the international break) is good or bad. Maybe for the players it was good, but I don't like sitting on a loss," Postecoglou told Mark Schwarzer for Optus Sport.

"There can be a tendency to over-analyse things. It wasn't a good one. The first half was unbelievable, but I didn't like the second half and what we looked like. It wasn't the loss, it was the manner I wasn't comfortable with. I've been sitting on it for 10 days, I'm ready to explode once they get back in the building and that will be my therapy."

The defeat left Spurs ninth in the Premier League on 14 points from seven matches. They will face a West Ham side full of confidence following their 4-1 thrashing of Ipswich before the break, which was their first win at the London Stadium.

Postecoglou is under pressure, with Spurs having won just three matches in the league so far this season, but he says he won’t change his approach. "What everyone wants me to do is what everyone else does. I'm not going to do that," he said.

"The reason I'm here now is because I didn't do what everyone else does. I wouldn't do anything differently because I've always tried to make decisions that I believe are going to stay true to what we're trying to create. What I do know is that people forget the starting point. It becomes really blurred. I don't forget the starting point. That's how I measure progress."

Postecoglou previously worked for Celtic, Australia and Yokohama Marinos and was asked whether Spurs was the most difficult job he’s had. "This club has its own unique challenges for sure. Are they more difficult than others? I don't know,” he said. "When I was at Celtic I was expected to win. If you lose one game it's a major problem and not many can cope with that.

"It's just a different challenge for sure. I get why people would say it's the level and the scrutiny is the reason why you're not having success – I don't believe that. I believe we will have success and there's nothing here that makes me think that is insurmountable."

Tottenham medical staff are due to assess Lucas Bergvall in the coming days after the 18-year-old midfielder sustained a calf problem while away on international duty.

The Swedish FA confirmed on Monday that the teenager would miss their Nations League clash with Estonia which later ended in a routine 3-0 victory for Jon Dahl Tomasson's side.

The message being relayed, however, is that the issue is not thought to be serious, though Spurs want to run the rule over the problem ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash with West Ham on Saturday afternoon.

Bergvall complained about discomfort in the back of his calf during a training session and therefore, Sweden decided it would be best if the player returned to north London following consolation with Spurs' medical staff.

The Scandinavian prodigy has been battling a separate fitness concern in recent weeks after also suffering from groin pain following Tottenham's 2-1 Europa League win over Ferencvaros TC in Hungary. Swedish sources indicate the decision to release Bergvall from the national team squad was precautionary.

The young maestro has played just 46 minutes of Premier League action so far this season since signing from Djurgardens but has started each of Spurs' two Europa League matches, plus the 2-1 Carabao Cup win at Coventry City in September.

Even if he is able to prove his fitness before the weekend, it's unlikely he will start the match against the Hammers when the Premier League returns following a two-week break.

Bergvall has had to show patience since sealing his dream £8.5million transfer as he continues to learn his trade from the likes of Son Heung-min and James Maddison but he is highly-rated at Hotspur Way and there is optimism that it won't be long before he breaks into Ange Postecoglou's starting XI.

He was recently subbed after just 12 minutes in the 3-0 European win over Qarabag following Radu Dragusin's seventh-minute red card. Bergvall has since said of his withdrawal: “Of course I was disappointed, but you should be. I completely understood the decision. It was just a matter of letting go and moving on.”

Postecoglou's side are looking to bounce back from the gut-wrenching 3-2 defeat at Brighton in which they had led 2-0. The sickening second-half collapse at the Amex ended a run of five straight victories in all competitions and also left Tottenham languishing in ninth place in the Premier League following an inconsistent start to the campaign.

Tottenham are on the verge of losing assistant boss Ryan Mason as he considers a move to Anderlecht.

The former Spurs midfielder has been part of Ange Postecoglou ’s coaching staff at his former club since the summer of 2022. He has officially held a backroom role in North London since 2018.

It appears that his long association with Spurs could come to an end sooner rather than later though. Belgian side Anderlecht are considering him for their head coach role.

They are currently looking for a new manager following the exit of Danish tactician Brian Riemer. According to a number of reports, Mason is already engaged in talks.

Should things go according to plan, he would become the latest name known to Premier League fans to take control of the Brussels outfit. Former Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany was appointed as the club’s player-manager in July 2019 before claiming the full-time role a year later.

Mason, now 33, started his career with Tottenham and made 70 appearances before a permanent move to Hull. But a serious head injury forced him to retire in February 2018.

Mason has since moved into coaching with the North London side. He returned to Spurs in April 2018 and went on to oversee seven games as interim boss following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

The former midfielder was retained under Antonio Conte and had another interim spell in charge following the Italian’s exit. Speaking at the time, he said: “It's a privilege to manage this great football club. I'm ready for this challenge and know what it means to represent this club.

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“I've never taken for granted the connection I have with our incredible fans and will work relentlessly with our players and staff to ensure that, as a collective, we fight for the badge at all times.”

He has remained important under Postecoglou - the Australian confirming his role when it comes to set pieces. Speaking in January this year, the current Spurs boss said: “Ryan Mason is in charge of attacking set-pieces.

“He’s done an outstanding job all year. Mile [Jedinak as well] in charge of defensive set-pieces I thought we were brilliant. We’ve been really good in that space all year and it’s a credit to both.

“All the coaches put in a real big shift this week. We knew we were going to have players in there playing their first game for a while or first time ever and all of them to a man did an outstanding job to prepare the team.”

Mason’s potential future employers sit fourth in the Belgian Pro League after winning four out of their opening ten league games. They have however enjoyed a perfect start to their Europa League campaign.

Ange Postecoglou launched a furious rant at his shell-shocked Tottenham stars after watching them throw away a two goal lead to lose at Brighton.

Goals from Brennan Johnson and James Maddison ensured Spurs held a commanding lead at the half-time break. But the visitors fell apart in the second-half, conceding three unanswered goals to fall to their third defeat of the season.

It has been a disappointing campaign for Postecoglou's men, who sit four points adrift of the top four. And the Australian was in no mood to hide his anger following his side's shocking defeat at the AMEX Stadium.

Instead, he branded it the 'worst defeat' of his reign at Tottenham, insisting the second-half performance was 'unacceptable'. Postecoglou also admitted that his side had got carried away after claiming a two-goal lead.

"Disappointing. Frustrated and absolutely gutted with that. Worst defeat since I've been here. Unacceptable second half. Nowhere near where we should be. We got carried away with how were were going," he told Sky Sports.

"We kind of accepted our fate and it is hard to understand as we've not done that while I've been here. We paid the price. The problem is we are travelling along too smoothly, football and life will trip you up if you get too far ahead of yourself.

"There is no message. It is a terrible loss for us - as bad as it gets. Only one way to fix it and that's my responsibility. We lost all our duels and if you're not competitive it is not going to work. They will process it individually and I will process it when everyone gets back."

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He added to Match of the Day: "We probably should have put it to bed in the first half. What we did in that second half is unacceptable and we got what we deserved. It’s a bad day for us and when it’s a bad day the responsibility falls at my feet."

Goalscorer Maddison was at a loss to pinpoint what had gone wrong for his side in that second period. The Englishman admitted that Sunday's performance felt like his side had gone backwards.

"Not 100 percent sure [what went wrong]. We couldn't deal with the momentum shift. We lost control of the game when the first goal went in. We dealt with momentum poorly and couldn't get any control of the game," Maddison told Sky Sports.

"It felt like attack after attack. They are a good side and have good players. Adversity in the Premier League - you have got to stay strong and weather the storm - we definitely didn't do that.

"We have been on a good run, but it feels like a couple of steps back today. We were saying all the right things to not get complacent, but words mean nothing if you don't go out and show it."

The managers and the players change at Tottenham but the North London club’s ability to self-destruct remains the same.

Brennan Johnson became the first player to score in six consecutive games in all competitions since Harry Kane in January 2019 as Ange Postecoglou’s dominant side took a two-goal half-time lead. The game looked all over.

But Brighton responded by scoring three goals in 18 minutes after the break through Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck for a ridiculous win to leapfrog Tottenham in the table. Spurs centre-back Micky van de Ven, one of the heroes of the Old Trafford victory the previous Sunday, was at fault for two of the goals. It was all so Spursy.

Fabian Hurzeler, the youngest boss in the Premier League who visited Tottenham last season to watch the oldest boss in action, gave Postecoglou’s side a second-half lesson in piercing a high defensive line.

Yet the problem for Tottenham is that they never learn. In March 2023 along the South Coast at Southampton, Antonio Conte launched a rant where he slammed his “selfish” players and the culture of the club when they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3-.

The Italian was soon gone but Tottenham’s frustrating inconsistency remains the same even in 90 minutes. From a super first half when they could have scored six, the second 45 minutes was as horrible as their second away kit.

Tottenham had been bidding for a sixth consecutive win in all competitions since losing the North London derby to climb into the top six. And Postecoglou was seeking a third away victory in a week after beating Manchester United and then Ferencvaros in the Europa League with four teenagers in the team.

He sent out the same team as Old Trafford and the first goal had been coming even before Johnson’s 23rd-minute opener.

Werner’s cross failed to find Johnson in the opening 20 seconds and Kulusevski and Maddison had shots blocked in the first five minutes.

And Werner was denied a goal when Verbruggen fumbled his header after Porro was ruled offside on a VAR check.

A minute later, Spurs took the lead in classic Ange-ball style. Maddison won the ball off Brighton’s record signing Georginio Rutter and fed Solanke. And the record Tottenham transfer celebrated his England recall by slipping a perfect pass for Wales’ Johnson to sweep home. He has now scored more for Spurs this season than in the whole of the last campaign.

Maddison was again left out of Lee Carsley’s Three Lions squad last week but the Spurs playmaker enjoyed better luck when his low shot went through the hands of Bart Verbruggen.

It took Albion’s tally to 10 goals conceded in the last four games. They were terrible in the first 45 minutes of a classic game of two halves.

Brighton came out after the break with a new left-back - Pervis Estupinan replaced Ferdi Kadioglu - and a more aggressive attitude as Tottenham’s old defensive frailties returned. Three minutes into the second half, both Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie failed to clear a Mitoma cross and Yankuba Minteh was free sweep home at the post

After 48 minutes, Rutter took a short pass from the excellent Mitoma to shoot home the equaliser. The third goal summed up the difference between the two sides. Rutter wanted a loose ball in the box more than any Tottenham player and the Frenchman slid in to cross for Welbeck to head home.

Jamie O'Hara claims you never know which Tottenham will turn up - suggesting they could win 3-0 at Brighton or alternatively, draw 6-6.

The ex-Spurs midfielder believes Ange Postecoglou's side remain incredibly unpredictable despite winning five matches on the spin in all competitions.

O'Hara has also scrutinised "ridiculous" forward Timo Werner for his lack of cutting edge in the final third after Brennan Johnson made it five goals in as many matches in the 2-1 midweek Europa League win at Ferencvaros.

He told Grosvenor Sport ahead of Sunday's trip to the Amex: "I can see Spurs coming out and trying to dominate possession and create chances, but will they convert?

"Timo Werner, if he plays, needs five chances before scoring – it’s ridiculous at times. Meanwhile, Brennan Johnson suddenly looks like he’ll score in every game, but he’s due a quiet one and that could easily happen here.

"That’s the nature of watching Spurs now, you really don’t know who’s going to turn up! They’re an exciting team to watch and they’ll play good football, it could be 3-0, 4-3 or 6-6!"

Tottenham were beaten 4-2 at the Amex last December and O'Hara is concerned his former employers seem to blow hot and cold against Albion ahead of today's top-flight showdown on the South Coast.

He added: "This is a tough one to call, Brighton are a good side despite their recent result against Chelsea – that was purely one of the best players in the world in Cole Palmer just doing what he does.

"Spurs never play well against Brighton, they’re a bit of a bogey team for Spurs in all honesty. The Amex Stadium is no easy place to go, and Brighton can hurt you."

Tottenham are set to be without captain Son Heung-min after he missed Thursday's Europa League win in Hungary against Ferencvaros through injury but left-back Destiny Udogie is expected to prove his fitness in time to face the Seagulls.

Postecoglou issued an update on Son after he was injured in last week's 3-0 triumph over Qarabag, stating when asked if the player is unlikely to return until after the international break: "Well yeah, if he doesn’t play for us it's not like he’s close then it makes sense. But then again we have to be mindful, that international duty, national teams take over, they are the custodians of their players but we’ve given them all of the medical information, they understand and they are understanding of the situation."

Brighton & Hove Albion are gearing up to face Tottenham Hotspur at the Amex Stadium in a Premier League clash that promises both excitement and strategic depth. As both teams have their sights set on securing European football next season, this match is crucial for maintaining momentum and gaining valuable points.

Under the guidance of manager Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton has made an impressive start to the campaign. Known for their eye-catching style of play, the Seagulls have captured attention with their fluid passing and cohesive team dynamics. Despite potentially missing key players like Joao Pedro and Jan Paul van Hecke, the return of Solly March and Brajan Gruda is a welcome boost that could bolster their performance against a challenging Spurs side.

Tottenham Hotspur, led by Ange Postecoglou, are determined to establish themselves as top contenders this season. Spurs have displayed a mix of resilience and flair, with standout performances from stars such as Son Heung-min and James Maddison. Their strategy hinges on quick transitions and precise finishing, aiming to capitalise on any defensive lapses from Brighton.

Brighton vs Tottenham Team News

Spurs captain Son Heung-min and left-back Destiny Udogie missed the recent victory over Ferencvaros due to knocks. While Udogie is expected to return, Son's participation remains doubtful, leaving fans eager for manager Ange Postecoglou to perhaps give young Mikey Moore a chance over Timo Werner, whose recent performances have been lacklustre. However, it's likely that Postecoglou will stick to his guns.

Tottenham's attacking options are further limited with injuries to Wilson Odobert and Richarlison. Dominic Solanke will lead the line, fresh from his first England call-up in seven years, hoping to make an impact. In defence, Radu Dragusin is back from a European suspension, but the partnership of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven—who impressed with a solo assist at Old Trafford—remains solid.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler provided a mixed update on his squad's fitness. There's hope that James Milner, Brajan Gruda, Joel Veltman, and Solly March could be available for selection. However, Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley are confirmed absentees with ankle issues, while Jan Paul van Hecke's status is uncertain. Simon Adingra might make the bench if fit.

The Seagulls have reasons for optimism despite these setbacks. Last weekend at Stamford Bridge saw 20-year-old Carlos Baleba make history as the youngest Cameroonian to score and assist in a Premier League match. He will once again partner with fellow youngster Jack Hinshelwood in midfield, bringing youthful energy and potential to Brighton's engine room.

Brighton & Hove Albion: Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Igor, Estupinan; Enciso, Baleba, Hinshelwood; Rutter, Welbeck, Mitoma

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Werner

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Brennan Johnson’s decision to unplug from social media is getting a big like from Craig Bellamy.

The Wales boss reckons the Tottenham striker is already worth a cool £80million – that's almost twice the £47.5m figure Spurs paid Nottingham Forest for the 23-year-old just over a year ago. Johnson has scored in five successive matches for Spurs since he left the trolls behind following abuse over his previous five-game barren streak.

Now, as he aims to make it six-in-six at Brighton on Sunday, Johnson is being compared to former Brazilian superstar Ronaldo by Spurs, who stuck Johnson’s face on Ronaldo’s body on their channels following his midweek goal against Hungarians Ferencvaros in the Europa League.

“He has ridiculous talent,” said Bellamy, who hopes Johnson’s hot scoring streak can continue when Wales resume their Nations League campaign next week. His high intensity is through the roof and he is now elite, showing why Spurs paid that money for him.

“He could yet have a bad couple of years, but if I was in another job and he was worth £80m, I’d go and buy him for that. Trust me, he’s got every part of a footballer that makes him an elite player. That’s the player I see.”

Johnson’s turnaround came after Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou suggested the striker stopped scrolling through a cesspit of vile abuse. Bellamy insists he leaves it up to his players whether they choose to be on social media but reckons Johnson made the right call in bailing out.

“I completely believe in what works for you, works for you. I don’t get involved in any other part of it," he said. “I believe that what you do as an individual is okay with me, regarding social media. I choose not to use it. But for my players, you do what you feel is best for you – feel free. Whatever makes you play better.”

Although Johnson is making headlines as a goalscorer this season, it is his all-round contribution under Spurs manager Postecoglou that has impressed Bellamy. He said: “Spurs invested very heavily in that, but what really impresses me with him is that the team comes first. It is his work rate for the team – I love that. It’s so important. “

Nor can Bellamy – who took plenty of fan abuse himself during his days at Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester City – understand why Johnson was subject to so much flak. “He’s a great character who is so easy to coach. He loves the group and the group loves him. He has all the traits of a really top class player," he said.

“Brennan is still young, but I see a humble kid with good morals who was brought up by good parents in a brilliant family structure. We are now seeing what a talent he really is.”

Former Tottenham attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has hinted Spurs may live to regret their decision to sell Troy Parrott on the cheap following an exciting start to his AZ Alkmaar career.

Ange Postecoglou's side flogged the 22-year-old Republic of Ireland international to the Dutch outfit for £6.7million in the summer transfer window and also negotiated a 20 per cent sell-on clause. And Parrott, who hit 17 goals in Holland last season while on loan at Excelsior, has needed no time to settle in at his new club after recently netting four in the brutal 9-1 demolition of Robin van Persie's Heerenveen.

Van der Vaart has since said of the forward, once dubbed the next Harry Kane: “I think he’s going to be a really big player. I don’t know what it is. I saw him at Excelsior, but then he was more on the counter. Now he is a good, footballing striker, who actually has everything. He just needs to develop his killer instinct a bit.

“He can perhaps play football a bit too well to be a killer. Then you start wandering a bit and that costs strength. In the final phase you lack some strength to score. I really think he is a gem.” While Parrott was rated very highly by Spurs, he failed to force his way into the first-team picture following multiple loan spells with Millwall, Ipswich Town, MK Dons and Preston North End, respectively.

But he now appears to have found a home in the Netherlands and if he continues to score at will, it might not be long before he seals a return to English football where he undeniably has unfinished business. Speaking to De Telegraaf in the summer, Parrott admitted he felt the time was right to leave Spurs, stating: "It was important for me to go to the Netherlands. I was used to playing football in Ireland and England. It was time for a new environment, a new culture.

Speaking to De Telegraaf in the summer, Parrott admitted he felt the time was right to leave Spurs, stating: "It was important for me to go to the Netherlands. I was used to playing football in Ireland and England. It was time for a new environment, a new culture.

"I think AZ is a good place where players get the chance to develop. I have been at Tottenham for a long time, but it was time to move on.” And when asked if he could ever see himself returning to north London, the young attacker replied: “You never know how things are going to go in football.”

Ange Postecoglou has jumped to the defence of Timo Werner amid criticism over his form in front of goal.

The ex-Chelsea man is spending another season on loan in north London but is yet to show the prolific qualities he did previously in Germany. Werner didn't last long in Blue before they sent him back to RB Leipzig, but the Tottenham boss is confident he has a quality player on his hands.

Werner missed two golden opportunities during Tottenham's 3-0 success over Manchester United last weekend and was again denied in a one-on-one scenario when Tottenham played Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday. Postecoglou though has likened the German to Brennan Johnson before he began enjoying his purple patch. The Welshman deleted his social media several weeks ago in light of constant criticism and has since scored in five successive games.

The Australian said: "It was 14 days ago those questions were asked of Brennan. It's where we're at in this world. We just think, 'he's missed two chances, so he's hopeless'. No, he's not hopeless. All footballers at this level are very, very good footballers. In terms of his general play, I think his last two games have been really good for us. He's been taking on his players, getting in the right areas.

He also added: "Yes, goals help. We've seen that with Brennan. But that doesn't mean he's not a good player and that's where I get really annoyed when they put everything on that moment to say he's not a good player. Of course he's a good player. He's a fantastic player. Scoring goals would help him, would help us, yes. But we'll persevere with him because I still think he's contributing to the team."

Dominic Solanke, as well as Johnson, was questioned in the opening weeks but the new frontman at Tottenham has since found his goalscoring touch and has just been named in the England squad with Postecoglou keen to underline how quickly it can all change.

Werner remains very much in the first-team picture and could get the opportunity to silence his doubters when the north Londoners take on Brighton this weekend. Since returning to English football with Tottenham the German has scored just twice - both of those strikes coming last year.

His best season when he was on Chelsea's books saw him score on 12 occasions. Those numbers though are a far cry from the kind of figures he posted whilst in the Bundesliga. His most impressive year at Leipzig saw Werner hit a career high 34 in 2019/20.